However, some argue the mass merchandisers have made the supermarket industry stronger.

“The mass merchandisers have made the supermarket industry better by forcing them to look at themselves a little differently.”

“They’ve obviously had an impact on Center Store. We know that. But they allowed the supermarket industry to recognize that our point of differentiation is the perimeter.”

“Some would say that these guys are Darth Vaders because as they have moved on the food side they have attacked Center Store, but it also give us a chance to ask how can we use Center Store to differentiate ourselves.”